President Jimmy Carter Discusses His New Book A Call To Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power on the Charlie Rose Show

You can watch the whole interview here, and find out more about A Call to Actionhere.

Buddhism doesn’t get discussed much in the book, but the call to action here is one we would do as well to heed as our colleagues in other religious traditions. This is something I’ve tried to devote some time and attention to in my work as a Buddhist minister: I previously posted an updated, revised, expanded, and transcribed version of a dharma talk I delivered at the Rosemead Buddhist Monastery in Rosemead, CA, on April 8th, 2012, about Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s quite similar book Half the Sky: Turing Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. The talk was reposted on the official Facebook page of the Half the Sky Movement, with the webmaster writing: “After reading Half the Sky, Rev. Danny Fisher was inspired to deliver a dharma talk at the Rosemead Buddhist Monastery based on his experience reading it. Has Half the Sky or the issues it touches upon been discussed at your place of worship?” In addition, the talkwasreposted on the official Twitter streams of both the movement and Mr. Kristof himself.

So after you watch President Carter’s interview with Charlie Rose, I hope you will listen to/take a look at my talk and share your thoughts on all of this with us in the comments…

ABOUT OFF THE CUSHION This blog begins with the assumption that Thai social critic and engaged Buddhist thinker Sulak Sivaraksa is correct when he says, "Any attempt to understand Buddhism apart from its social dimension is fundamentally a mistake." It also affirms Cambodian peace activist and Buddhist monk Maha Ghosananda's belief that "we must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering." Therefore we shall seek to look closely at contemporary human problems in light of Buddhist thought, looking for ways to apply Buddhist values in service of a more just, peaceful, and loving world. Rev. Danny Fisher, ordained Buddhist minister and chaplain, is the author, but your thoughts and contributions are most welcome and strongly encouraged.